Chapter 75: The Twilight of the Scarecrow

“Yet do I marvel at a strange thing-thing. I am weak and made of string, but I know I’m not incorrect. With this heart, I will do everything to protect!”

Wind blew softly past, making her hair to shift like it were the waves of the sea. The moon was at her back, making her glow in the sky like it was a divine blessing.

Vega, unchained by the belief of Ani Arma, was armed with Soul Gems, a skill with a pickaxe and a guitar, and magics that she had yet to master. She knew her purpose, she knew she wouldn’t be alone or abandoned.

But, stronger than all that, was the truth. A truth that she would matter so long as she tried to make the world a better place.

Inside her soul, she knew she wouldn’t be useless, she wouldn’t let herself be ridiculed or reduced to some plaything. Alive, was the word Vega felt, rushing through her scars and wires.

No one was stopping her anymore. No blade, no insult, no memory was going to stop her from living her own life. A righteous purpose eradicated all sense of worry, for she was going to live her life to the fullest. She’d climb every tree, see every sky, and meet every person!

“I won’t even let the concept of gravity stop me!” She cried out, letting out a tremendous cheer as she spun around mid air, proceeding to swirl and dance. The Soul Gems too joined her in this excitement and joy, orbiting her like comets.

“Wait… what the hell-hell is gravity?”

The scarecrow looked down.

“...why the fuck-fuck am I falling?”

“Idiot!” A familiar caw Vega heard from above. The shine of an amber crown and black feathers were soaring above her, before she felt the grip of a talon on her shoulder. Instead of falling to her almost certain doom, an old friend had returned.

“Kaliba! Oh, how-how I’ve missed you!” Reaching out for the crow’s head, she gave Kaliba two soft pats, to which it cooed softly.

“Vega-vega!”

“Yes, I am Vega! It’s me buddy! I’m so glad ya are back!” A tear came to her eyes, as smiled at the reunion. While she was happy to have finally escaped the tower and its obstacles, Vega was even happier to reunite with her friends. Laying her hand on Kaliba’s head, she sweetly tilted her head up at the crow. “I’m so glad I’m back! We are so back-back!”

“Shut up.”

“Fair-fair enough.”

“Vega! Down here!” Another voice called out, except from out under her. The crow and the scarecrow checked and saw a redhead and black haired elf standing next to each other.

“Gay-gay?” Kaliba questioned.

“No, Krimm is lesbian. That’s the proper term. Be better Kaliba, be better.” Vega crossed her arms, acting all smart when she really misunderstood the fuck out what Kaliba was saying.

Floating down to the ground, Vega took the whole scene in. The hill she had climbed up to the temple, the store where she met the shopkeeper who gave her advice. And now, the place where Kaliber’s tower had rested, anchored on the wall and standing in the Ghost town.

All had changed, about this place and herself. Though hurt and threatened by war, it wouldn’t fall so long as people defended it.

Papers and books coated the city streets and rooftops like leaves, all of Kaliber’s research was now revealed and able to spread to everyone. But for now, Vega had to talk to another friend.

“Hey ya guys! How are ya…” Turning around to see the two, the sight was a little jarring to say the least. Sweat coating his skin and clothes, Skaldi seemed to have been worse for wear to say the least.

And Krimm, much to Vega’s strange liking, had a very creepy smile.

Granted, anyone with a scar like Krimm’s would have a creepy smile, but it was in conjunction with Skaldi’s presence that sort of threw her off.

In addition, it seemed like both of them were really relieved to see her here. Afterall, she did just risk her life for some magic rocks.

“...hey… best buddy.” Skaldi walked up to her, and without shame, gave her a hug that he had been needing these past couple days.

“Woah! Skaldi, you good?” Vega, surprised by his emotional vulnerability, was expecting some crass statement about what she had been doing. But instead of asking, she let the redhead hug her. Plus, she needed a hug too.

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“Shit, I thought you were gone some place, that…” Skaldi looked at Krimm, letting his thoughts be presented by the look on his face. He was discomforted by Krimm but he understood something had happened between her and Vega.

He really needed some kind of comfort and relief, and he gladly took the chance when he saw her. He wasn’t going to talk shit now.

“Fair enough. So-so what’s up?”

“Just a war, nothing out of the ordinary. Probably the more mundane thing, but that doesn’t matter.” Letting go, Skaldi rubbed the back of his head, now rejuvenated and alert.

Vega took a step back to observe what was in front of her. It was kind of ironic, and very funny.

A sassy homosexual elf that had some history with the Galtian elves that had been scarred physically and emotionally.

And a violent homosexual elf that had some history with the Galtian elves that had also been scarred physically and emotionally…

“Huh, ya know it isn’t a lot, but it’s weird it’s happened twice. I guess it’s like poetry, it rhymes.” Vega let her smile drop, and looked out to the fires and battle further in the city.

“Guys, I’m glad we’re all doing okay. But we got some shit on our hands.” Krimm’s voice cut the ease and got them focused on the danger at hand. “Any idea of how to get this metaphorical shit out?”

“I got a rock?” Vega held out the Soul Gem flask, now not doing any amazing magical stuff. The flask could still function, but it seemed it had to operate in the special way Vega could.

“A rock is nice… uh… good job.” Krimm patted Vega’s head, sort of like you do to a dog. Expect Krimm had no fucking clue how to do it.

“Hmm… Lady Lai and Chakirt got some extra mercenaries, like a ton. I told them to target the leader, that Runtaii guy.” Walking down the steps, Skaldi pointed out to where the main battle was. Seeing the carnage and hearing the clash of metal, it seemed like the most likely spot.

“That’s not all we’re gonna have to deal with. There’s Snake Skins, plenty of archers, and who know’s what Runtaii has got planned.” Staying on top of the temple hill, Krimm looked up to the rooftops. “I’ll take care of the archers and the fire arrows, you two got to figure out Runtaii.”

“Can’t you kill him? Aren’t you literally an Assassin? Throwing black powder bombs isn’t good enough?” Skaldi questioned, speaking with scorn. Afterall, the two elves had yet to reconcile, and Krimm had yet to atone.

Averting her eyes, Krimm actually seemed hurt by Skaldi, backing away. She opened her mouth to speak, but it took a bit for words to come out.

“Look, Runtaii and more specifically, Ani Arma, has made plans to prevent Assassins from taking down any Tripolian leaders or Patriarchs. Like… it literally hurts to do so to the point I would die of shock? Or that I might potentially go insane?” Krimm held her arm and spoke with a degree of shame. Being able to kill Runtaii would have been very useful, but certain magics prevented her from doing so.

“Really? Well then fuck! And we still don’t know where everyone else is.” Skaldi threw up his arms and began to search for any object that could help them in the situation.

And then he remembered the Soul Gem, the one Sorbet had given him. The one of makeup, where Vega had used it to produce a rose.

“Huh… Here's hoping you can put this to use.” Throwing the Soul Gem over head, Vega was barely able to catch it. She looked at the jar, glowing emerald light. Turning her gaze to a streetway packed with gardens, Vega had a pretty stellar idea.

“This is not the time to be throwing Soul Gems.” Standing taller than Skaldi, Krimm wagged her finger at him.

“Whatever lady. Vega, just I don’t know, make sure you put some roses on Runtaii’s grave or something. I don’t know, get weird with it!” Skaldi threw up his hands, proceeding to grab his gear that he was going to use and fasten to his bandolier.

Rolling her eyes, Vega pocketed the Soul Gem, seeing it glow as she stuffed into her chest. A strange feeling happened, like it and Vega were tethered together by some cosmic force, or some undead power.

“Maybe someone else could use-use one of these thingies.” Seeing the not too distant fires, Vega looked at the flask. Perhaps there someone who could help in a new way.

“What are you doing now?” Skaldi wiped his forehead of sweat, worried that Vega was going to do something weird with it.

“Here!” Vega spoke to Krimm, who seemed shocked by what Vega was doing. Holding out her hand, Vega was offering the Soul Gem she obtained in the tower’s fountain. Even Skaldi seemed surprised, in trusting the Soul Gem to the former Assassin.

“What is this all about? I’m not thirsty. I’m not a-”

“Krimm, take this. It’s a Soul-Gen thingy, a rock-rock flask thingy that makes water. Ya aren’t just a killer, not anymore-more.” Speaking calmly, Vega forced Krimm to make no more arguement. Reluctantly, Krimm took the Soul into her hands.

Faintly, water began to pour out once more.

“...thank you.” The Fairy nodded, appreciating Vega’s trust.

“So, are we going to stand around or are we going to take the fight to that fucker Runtaii?” Skaldi questioned, knowing they all were going to head into a storm of war.

“Not a chance-chance!” Vega spoke up.

“Nope-nope.” Kaliba cawed.

“Let’s show him.” Krimm prepared to prove herself.

“That’s good to hear.” Skaldi pulled out his glaive, arming himself. For a second, they felt the fear in their fibers. And after that, not anymore.

“Well then let’s go after him!” Breaking out into a sprint in front of them, Vega took out her guitar and waved them to follow her. Awkwardly surprised by Vega’s unwavering action, the two were sort of awe struck. That she was so willing to enter into a battlefield, and it made them feel safe. It made them feel strong.

Following close behind her, the two elves joined forces with her, and got ready to change the tide of this storm.